Back-Breaking Rule

(My school has just past a ridiculous uniform rule, punishable by detention and letters home; you cannot wear your bag on your back indoors. It is fully agreed among most teachers and students that it serves no purpose, but senior staff are unusually strict about it. I am carrying in a very delicate art project and of course can’t carry my bag as well.)

Senior Staff: “HEY! You! Get that bag off your back now!”

(I struggle to put down the art project as I take off my bag, but cannot physically carry them both.)

Me: “Sir, I can’t carry them both without risking damage to my project.”

Senior Staff: “I don’t care about your project! You have to fit uniform standards. Take it off.”

(Shocked by this, I take off my bag and have no choice but to leave it outside by the door, just as another person from my class walks in holding another delicate project.)

Senior Staff: “Hey! What is it with you kids?!”

(When we got to class we were all late and had to stay behind all while having left our bags outside and this being England it starts to rain.)

Student #1: “Miss! Can I go and get my bag?”

Teacher: “NO! You have to stay here to make up the time you wasted getting here so late.”

Student #2: “But it was because—”

Teacher: “NO!”

(When we eventually got to our bags they were all soaked the way through, ruining all of our books. The senior staff never took responsibility and the head-teacher refused to admit the rule made things more difficult. A lot of us are still serving detention for “ruining school property.”)